Blue Lion Plans Intimate Concerts

Blue Lion Plans Intimate Concerts

Barrett Baber, S. Sean Six and “possibly the greatest drummer in the world” will make world-class sounds for local fans on Second Street.

Baber, Six and a trio led by former Genesis/Frank Zappa drummer Chester Thompson will perform separate concerts for followers of multiple genres at the Blue Lion at UAFS Downtown, 101 N. Second St., said Stacey Jones, associate vice chancellor for campus and community events for UAFS. All three concerts will comprise the Blue Lion’s second annual entertainment season and will be an “unbeatable” season of live music, he said.

“Chester Thompson is awesome — if he isn’t the best drummer in the world right now, then he’s certainly in the Top 5 — and this will be the first time for us to have Chester in our area,” Jones said. “Plus, Henry Rinne’s son, Michael Rinne, plays (bass) in the Chester Thompson Trio, so there’s a nice local connection. It’ll be a special night.”

Baber also will be known by audience members, he said. Baber was the northwest Arkansas artist chosen to open for the Grammys on CBS through a competition, Jones said.

“S. Sean Six was one of our students here and now travels as a classical guitar player all over,” he said. “All three of these shows are things we are excited to present to the community.”

Following is a list of the upcoming concerts:

• Barrett Baber — 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7. Baber won the CBS Grammy Gig of a Lifetime” contest in 2014 and he co-wrote “Arkansas (Get There From Here),” the official Arkansas song for the state’s tourism department. He first picked up the guitar while in his older brother’s dorm room at Ouachita Baptist University, and his songwriting immediately followed. For information, visit Baber’s Facebook page.

• The Chester Thompson Trio — 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23. Thompson replaced fellow drum legend Bill Bruford as the touring drummer for Genesis in 1976. Portions of Thompson’s tenure with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band can be heard on Genesis’ acclaimed live albums, “Seconds Out,” “Three Sides Live,” “Live: The Way We Walk” and “Live Over Europe 2007.”

Thompson also toured with Genesis singer Phil Collins’ solo bands, as well as recording and touring with Frank Zappa and Weather Report. His musical collaborations also include Santana, John Wetton and Ian McDonald, and he founded Fire Merchants and was a member of Air Pocket. For information, visit the trio’s Facebook page.

• S. Sean Six — 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4. The former UAFS student studied guitar with Paul Mendy, hailed by fans, musicians and fellow instructors as a Cuban guitar master. Six completed guitar courses as the University of Colorado and the University of Denver. The winner of the Teed and Nancy Anderson Music Award would release his debut CD in February 2012. For information, visit Six’s Facebook page.

“It’s so exciting because Chester Thompson is phenomenal. He toured with Genesis and with Phil Collins for over 20 years,” Jones said. “I talked with a guy from Nashville and told him we are bringing in the Chester Thompson Trio, and that guy said, ‘Wow, I hope to make that show.’ I then told him, ‘We hope to sell out that show.’”

Jones said he was unsure what the trio’s set list would include, but noted that all fans of rock, progressive rock, jazz and pop would be more than pleased with the concert.

“I know Chester primarily plays jazz now, but I’m hoping that he’ll do some Genesis tunes for us, as well,” he said.

The season’s other two shows will be as exciting for audience members, Jones said.

“To my knowledge, S. Sean Six has never come back here to Fort Smith for a concert,” he said. “And with Barrett, I don’t think he has done a public concert in this area — I know he’s played some private gatherings — and with Barrett being a new father again, with his second child, it makes everything exciting.”

Jones said only 200 tickets will be available for these “intimate-style” concerts, with $33 season tickets going on sale Friday. Tickets can be purchased by calling 788-7300; individual tickets will go on sale Sept. 1.

“This really is going to be an exciting season, because it’s live music,” Jones said. “When you listen to music from a compact disc or an iPod, you’re not hearing the full range of the music, like when it’s performed live.

“Live music is just a different world,” he added. “Music on a compact disc is just what it says - the music is compacted. Hearing something live is something different — something greater — and we are hoping that people will come out and support live music by supporting this season.”